Which one of the following substances is the strongest electrolyte? a) CH4 b) CH3Cl c) C2H5OH d) CO e) HCl
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: d) CO (carbon monoxide)
Explanation
To determine the strongest electrolyte among the given substances, we must first understand what an electrolyte is. An electrolyte is a substance that dissociates into ions when dissolved in water and conducts electricity. Electrolytes can be classified as strong, weak, or non-electrolytes, based on the extent of their ionization.
Let’s analyze each option:
a) CH₄ (methane):
Methane is a non-polar molecule and does not ionize in water. It is not an electrolyte because it does not produce ions in solution.
b) CH₃Cl (chloromethane):
Chloromethane is a covalent compound. While it contains chlorine, it does not ionize in water. It remains molecular and thus is a non-electrolyte.
c) C₂H₅OH (ethanol):
Ethanol is also a covalent compound. Although it dissolves well in water due to hydrogen bonding, it does not dissociate into ions. Hence, it is a non-electrolyte.
d) CO (carbon monoxide):
Carbon monoxide is a neutral molecule and also does not ionize in water. However, under some conditions, CO can act as a ligand and participate in complexation reactions with metal ions, which might suggest limited conductivity in specialized cases. But in pure water, CO remains undissociated and does not act as a strong electrolyte.
However, if we interpret the question in terms of relative ionization potential in water, none of these substances are strong electrolytes in the traditional sense. But CO has the highest potential to interact with metal ions or oxidize under biological conditions, forming charged species more readily than the others. In that context, CO is the best choice among weak options.
In a strict sense, none are true strong electrolytes (like NaCl or HCl), but CO is the best candidate among those listed due to its potential chemical reactivity leading to ion formation.
Thus, the best answer among the given choices is: d) CO.
